This is a fair assessment. Agree on L1, Pardew and many others would have got us up that season. No so the Championship in one - that was a real achievement.
However I am not so sure Nige himself would be that much of a barrier to players, Osvaldo being a notable exception. The manager is only one factor, and Gaston arrived last year.
Lastly, way back when the clappers on this forum had decided he was Alex Ferguson/greatest young manager ever/future England boss etc etc I quietly floated the suggestion that he was more likely another Owen Coyle, Tony Mowbray, George Burley, Aidy Boothroyd, Paul Jewell etc etc. A decent manager with one or two great promotions in them. But who never make "the big league".
And I think I won't be far wrong.